Curfew remains in force in the Valley

Curfew remained in force in all major towns of the Kashmir Valley on Friday, including this summer capital, to prevent violent protests in view of the volatile situation following the death of a youth in police firing earlier this week.

Curfew would remain in force in the entire Srinagar city and all major towns, including Baramulla, Sopore, Bandipora, Awantipora and Kakapora, said a police statement broadcast on the local radio station here.

A senior police official said curfew had been imposed in view of the violent protests in the region since March 5, following the death of a 24-year-old youth in a firing incident in north Kashmir's Baramulla town.

Nearly a dozen people were injured in clashes between stone pelting mobs and security forces across the Kashmir Valley on Thursday.

Despite curfew restrictions on Thursday, hundreds of people participated in a protest march in Baramulla's old town. Police had to use force to disperse unruly mobs in other parts of the valley.

In Srinagar city, clashes between stone pelting mobs and security forces continued till late evening in the Zakoora area.

Protestors also set a vehicle belonging to a private cement factory on fire in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, police said.